All Saints sixth-graders create a baby blanket club for Tepeyac OB/GYN

Last October, All Saints Catholic School in Manassas celebrated
Respect Life Month by assigning each class a local pro-life organization to
support. The sixth grade decided to turn the one-time event into a yearlong effort
to support Divine Mercy Care in Fairfax — the fundraising and education arm of the
pro-life Tepeyac OB/GYN.

In the fall, the students and their teacher, Theresa Parriott, spent
an entire class period brainstorming ways to help the center. They decided to
make fleece baby blankets for the mothers in need, and cobbled together their
own money to buy coffee and doughnuts for the staff.

“Instead of just supporting the moms, (we wanted to) support the people who work really hard to support the moms: the doctors and the nurses,” said Parriott.

When Christmas came, the students again looked for a way to show their support. They wrote Christmas cards and made the staff hot chocolate kits that Parriott delivered. “It’s been so endearing because (the students have) adopted them,” she said.

After school April 5, Parriott, fellow teacher Debi Woolfrey and around 15 sixth-graders gathered once again, this time to stuff pastel Easter eggs with baby socks and pacifiers, and to make small blankets for the infants. They placed tissue paper flowers in vases of candy for the Tepeyac staff.

“It’s exciting for them because Tepeyac just opened the new facility, so it’s our (housewarming gift),” said Parriott.

The students flitted from table to table chatting with one another, packing eggs and pinning cloth for the blankets. Moira Haggerty said she enjoyed being social while helping others. Vicky Molina liked supporting an organization that helps women choose life. Some students even had a personal connection to the center. Kateri Mantooth said a doctor at Tepeyac, Dr. Daniel Fisk, had delivered her sibling.

“I feel happy that especially at this young age I can make a difference, Elizabeth Karcher said. “Even if it’s a small one.”